One of the most important activities of an entrepreneur is to encourage other people to dream and develop businesses. In Chicago, we are very fortunate to have a support structure and roadmap in the Duman Microenterprise Center Loan Fund. a program of JVS, which was created by a gift from Louis Duman.

I found out about the work of the Duman Center back in early 2004 when Sam Zell spoke at a program sponsored by the Center on “The Definition of an Entrepreneur.” In American, there is no better example of a successful
entrepreneur than Sam Zell who has transformed the real estate market and industry for his vision of the possible.

For that reason, it is a great honor for me to speak this week at a program sponsored by the Center which is free of charge and open to all (who register in advance). My topic is how the entrepreneur can make a difference in the community, in the company and in innovation.